Some still blowing cold about wind farm

A building permit has been issued by the municipality for the construction by Skypower and Scotian Windfields of 20 wind turbines near Rossway.

At the municipality’s March 9 council meeting, residents of that area presented a petition signed by 33 people requesting a meeting with municipal council.

The 30-megawatt project has generated a great deal of discussion since it was announced last May 14.

Prior to the announcement, the developers signed long-term contracts with property-owners to lease the land where the turbines will be built. Those landowners will receive from $3,000 to $5,000 per year for each turbine that is built on their property.

Ten of the 20 turbines are to be located on properties owned by individuals who do not reside in the area year-round.

A number of neighbouring residents have said they are opposed to the development, suggesting that noise from turbines will negatively affect their quality of life. A few people have voiced concern about perceived threats to their health from issues such as reflected light (flicker) and ‘infra-noise’.

The Municipality of Digby is largely un-zoned, and the proposed development does not contravene existing bylaws.

The municipality is in the final stages of creating a bylaw to govern future wind farms in the area, but any restrictions would not apply to the already approved Digby Neck wind farm.